BOOTA Pre-press conference briefing INTERNATIONAL SITUATION —— July 17, 1957. * = Changes in Russian hierarchy. The President read a statement prepared by State and CIA - and commented "all of us have said these things in one form or another." Zhukov. Jim has been getting repeated questions about General Zhukov -- that he has been invited to visit this country, etc. Also regarding Zhukov's influence in the new setup (answer ~ CIA does not know). Khrushchev. The President was reminded of Khrushchev's statement of last week that "it was a stupid thing to discuss clean atomic weapons -~- there could not be anything called a clean weapon that does a birty job."' Disarmament. Jim Hagerty pointed out that there is some legitimate confusion on part of public and press about how long it takes to present the American proposals in the piecemeal fashion in which it is being done. The answer is that we are dealing with our allies, each one of whom has a different problem -- and getting their common concurrence before going ahead. The President pointed out, for instance, that Great Britain had the atomic bomband is trying to stockpile a few weapons, while the countries that do not have it want faster action. Governor Adams commented on how amazing it was that the public was so quick to adopt a new idea -- i.e., the "clean" bomb. The President was reminded of a question he had at this point and called Admiral Strauss to clear matter up (that when scientists speak of a 96% clean bomb, they are comparing percentage to yield). REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY Ouestion of recess in disarmament talks -- we do not believe that there should be a recess just for the sake off a recess. If however the American plan were fully presented and the Russians should ask for time to study it, that would be different. We are not dragging our feet; we are working with our allies. REPOSITORY haan) couscnonConbiicnnn Box no. 2 FOLOER Crforene.7